five outfits

1 Girl, 5 Outfits: Cierra Everette

After getting a lot of great feedback (and submissions) for the new series I wanted to start “1 Girl, 5 Outfits,” I’m back today with another entry. So many girls reached out from the DC area, and I wish Carter and I had time to shoot more people. With such a quick trip and other work obligations, I’d knew we’d only have time for one girl… and that’s Cierra! It was such a pleasure for me to get to meet her and I loved the outfits she put together for the post:

Prepster

Hello everyone! My name is Cierra, and I’m a 24-year-old navigating life in the D.C. Metropolitan Area (Alexandria to be exact). I graduated from the University of Mary Washington (go Eagles!) where I studied psychology, biology, and neuroscience. Now, I’m a full-time grad student, full-time employee in the non-profit space, and a lifestyle blogger! As you can see, I often have a lot on my plate which is why I wanted my blog to focus on how I attempt to balance my ambitious lifestyle. To me, this means making a monthly bucket list in which I add components that I believe will aid my attempt at finding balance. Currently, I prioritize trying new things, being social with my friends and family, finding time for exercise and personal growth, and cooking up new tasty and healthy dishes.

If I had to classify my style, I would say that I value comfort and feminine details. Anything with a bow, ruffle, or monogram immediately captures my attention. Currently, I am also intrigued by statement sleeves. As far as comfort goes, I’m most comfortable in a dress and would wear one every single day if it were practical. You’ll almost never find me in heels unless it’s relatively low and attached to a bootie. When shopping for clothes and shoes, I like to stay within a reasonable price point with the occasional splurge on pieces that I’m sure to use year after year. Marshall’s and J.Crew Factory are my favorite places to find affordable, yet classic pieces to fill my closet. My advice for purchasing higher-end pieces: sales are your friend if you use them sparingly!

Black and White Skirt

Black bell-sleeved sweater (Marshall’s, similar) // Herringbone sidewalk mini (J. Crew Factory) // Earrings (Kendra Scott)

I work as an assessment research assistant at a small non-profit organization. Our office is business casual, so this is an outfit I reach for when I want to be both casual and little dressy. In fact, this was the outfit that I turned to on a day when I had to leave work and head straight to an industrial-organizational psychology networking event (I’m studying I/O psych in grad school!). I have this mini skirt in two other colors, and I love the versatility of them. I can dress them up like in this outfit or dress them down with a plaid shirt and bean boots.

Quilted Bag

Purple Peplum Dress

Purple Ruffle Trapeze Dress (Express) // Over the Knee Boots (DSW)

I like to dress up for Thanksgiving (even though the rest of my family would rather wear football jerseys or sweats). This outfit would provide plenty of room for all of the delicious holiday dishes that I am sure to consume. Also, my sister and I always start our Thanksgiving afternoon at our Grandma’s house, then often make multiple stops to visit other family members. The low heel on these over the knee boots will make sure that I am comfortable the entire night. And the dress? Ruffles AND a statement sleeve. Do I have to say more?

Velvet Dress

Peter Pan Collared Green Velvet Dress (Betsy Johnson from Marshall’s, similar)

Speaking of holidays, holiday parties are right around the corner. I spotted this green velvet dress and thought it would be the perfect, comfortable dress for an upcoming engagement. I love the collar detail. I’m notorious for forgetting to accessorize, so I like that this collar does the work for me.

Peter Pan Collar Dress

Cierra Everette

Ruffled Collar Sweatshirt Dress (Marshall’s, similar)

This dress is one of my favorite finds. I constantly find myself running from place to place and yet I need to look put together. The material of this dress is sweatshirt-like which makes it a super comfortable dress to go from my little brother’s soccer game, to run an errand, then to making the hour drive to visit my friends in Fredericksburg, VA (this happens more Saturdays than you would think). It also has the appearance of being layered without the bunchy feeling that sometimes accompanies layers.

Pearl Ring

Bean Boots

Ruffle Detailed Sweater (Marshall’s, similar) // Jeans (Express) // Boots (LL Bean) // Vest (similar)

When it is not practical to wear a dress, and I have to wear jeans (which are the worse), then I reach for the only pair that I have found to give me the slightest degree of comfort—my performance stretch jeans from Express. These jeans are great if you are a little curvier in the thigh region and want a pair that doesn’t make you feel like you’re suffocating the entire day.

I enjoy the ruffle detail of this otherwise plain sweater. Through on an Excursion vest from J.Crew and LL Bean boots and you have a classic fall outfit. I would wear this outfit on a casual Friday at work, exploring with my siblings, or visiting one of my favorite farms (Miller Farms) on a Sunday morning with my grandma.

Cierra

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42 Comments

Allison B

Yay! This is a friend of mine and I’m so happy you featured her in the series! I love easy, accessible outfits with a touch of femininity and Cierra nailed it 🙂

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Kate

This is a great addition to your blog! Selfishly, I woukd love if you focused on women with office jobs so I can get some work-outfit inspiration. Cierra’s profile has inspired me to step up my game at work today!

I like her style a lot, in particular that grey dress with the ruffles!

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Ingrid

I love Cierra’s style and attitude – comfortable, yet put together, all while taking on the world!

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Tatiana

Love this–realistic outfits at a realistic price point! Cierra has awesome style, and I completely agree with her…dresses are the best and jeans are the worst! I’ll definitely check out her blog, and look forward to more in this series.

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Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's

This is such a cute series, and once again, I am so thankful not only for the consistency and quality of the content you produce, but for bringing this community together! <3 Love Cierra's first outfit and also her over the knee boots. So inspiring how she manages to balance three jobs (yes I would classify being a student, an employee, and a blogger as three jobs!) -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s

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Emily

I absolutely love this new series! And Cierra’s personal style is incredible and so similar to my own – she’s given me so many good ideas for outfits that can transition through so many activities!

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Kelsey

Carly, I love that you are doing these posts. Thank you so much for giving a larger platform to lesser known creatives!

And Cierra, that green velvet dress is. to. die. for! xoxo Kelsey | maybe-tomorrow-blog.com

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Abby

Cierra- I loved all your choices, my favorite beings the gray dress with ruffle collar! I need to hit up Marshall’s apparently!! You are gorgeous and that 1000 watt smile is a stunner! Full time grad student, full
time job and a blog!?! SO IMPRESSIVE! Get it girl!

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Caitlin

I have that sweatshirt dress from Marshalls too! Love a fellow Marshalls gal! Great picks Cierra!

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Jenny McGuigan

Fun series! Cierra’s got great style. I like all of her looks, but she looks especially fab in that purple dress.

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Kate

Love this series so much! I’m actually an Alexandria native. I’m 32 and have only ever lived in Alexandria and Georgetown. Great area with so much to do!

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M

Her smile, skin, and outfits are all amazing I️ hope you keep this feature going. I️ know a lot of bloggers are in the 0-4 size region, but I’m an 8 and I️ really love seeing my body type represented. Both are equally beautiful, but it’s great to see outfits I️ know would work on me.

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Kimfrom3peanuts

Love the new series and Cierra was a great person to feature. She has such a full and exciting life right now and I loved seeing how she dresses for all of it. She looked gorgeous! And I love that she’s a bargain shopper. I also love finding great deals and TJ Maxx and Marshalls from time to time. Good luck in all of your endeavors Cierra!!

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Allison

Loved reading this post! I’m a grad student in I/O psychology, too!!! Small world 🙂

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Taylor

Ok. I live in Alexandria also and I NEED to know which Marshall’s she shops at! I can never, ever, ever find anything in there and all of her outfits are perfect!

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Mackenzie

Love all these outfits, so cute!! I definitely need to hit up Marshalls soon 😊 TJ maxx is always my go to. This is my favorite series!

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Christal

CIERRA IS THE CUTEST OFFICE-WORK MODEL I’VE EVER SEEN!! Thanks for featuring her, she was such an inspiration! I found her blog, ambitiouslycierra, and I enjoyed it so much (particularly the bucket lists) thanks Carly!

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Victoria

This is such a lovely post. Cierra is so well dressed and interesting. Its really nice to see women of color and varying body types on your blog.

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Kristina

Psychology, biology and neuroscience? She rocks!!!!!

Also, her style is amazing. Love how she manages to look so polished and put together at very affordable price points. So inspiring.

Love this series, more please!

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Christine

Cierra has really cute, flattering outfits! This is my first time on this site and I love what I’m seeing!

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